KINGSVILLE, TX — Kleberg County Judge Rudy Madrid and the City of Kingsville Mayor Sam Fugate received notification this afternoon of the first death resulting from COVID-19 in Kleberg County and the City of Kingsville.
The middle-aged man from Kingsville tested positive for COVID-19 March 27, 2020 and after going into quarantine and later seeking medical treatment, the gentleman ultimately received treatment at an area hospital in Corpus Christi.
His case was identified as travel-related, due to travel to Waco, TX. The gentleman did have underlying health issues. “This is a very dark day for our community and the Coastal Bend, one life lost is one too many,” said Judge Madrid.
Kleberg County and the City of Kingsville both initiated Stay-At-Home orders in March, prior to this first COVID-19 case in order to keep citizens safe.
“This disease can be deadly, it is a danger that threatens our community and that is exactly why we have these orders in place,” Fugate said of the emergency measures.
Restrictions are in place to limit movement, person to person contact and the spread of COVID-19. The City of Kingsville extended their orders through April 30, 2020 in tonight’s commission meeting. Kleberg County has also extended their orders.
“Nobody wants to put these orders in place, but these orders are needed for the safety of our community during this global pandemic” Fugate said, “we do not want to lose anyone else to COVID-19, but that is going to require community cooperation.”
The Kleberg County & City of Kingsville Joint Remote Testing Site remains in operation at Dick Kleberg Park. Hours have been reduced in order to preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical personnel working the testing site.
Appointments are now more concentrated; the state has assured the county and city that the reduced hours will not lead to a reduction in tests. Testing at the site is by appointment only, all appointments are now scheduled on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
“This regional testing site is truly the result of many partnerships across our region and up to the state and federal level,” Madrid said, “additional partners have stepped up to the plate to provide much needed tests, just last week, Texas A&M University-Kingsville donated tests to the site.”
If you feel you may have been exposed to COVID-19 please call your primary care provider for a referral and appointment. Kleberg County & City of Kingsville leaders will continue to receive test results seven days a week and will continue to update the community with critical information.
“Testing and identifying individuals who carry the COVID-19 virus is essential to protect all our citizens from this danger, we are fortunate to have many partners committed to continuing that testing out at Dick Kleberg Park,” Madrid said.